Apparatus for playing base-ball.



H. SGHUM. APPARATUSIOR PL'AYING BASE BALL.

APPLICATION' FILED MAR. 15, 1912.

H. SWHUM.

APPARATUS PoR PLAYING BASE BALL.

APPLIOATION FILED 111111.16, 1915*..

Patented Sept.23,191-3.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Aram* carton.

EE'MAN SUHUM, 0F. NEW YJORK., N., Y..

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING BASE-BALL'.

Specification of Letters Batent.

ratenteafsept. 2a', 1era.

Application tiled-March 15, 1912. Serial'Ho. 683,929.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN SCHUM, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have 5 invented new and useful Apparatus for laying BaseBall, of which the following isa description.

This invention relates to apparatus for playing base-ball and has for its object the lo production of apparatus suitable for playing a. game of base-ball, according to the usual rules thereof, that is adapted to enable the players to exercise skill and judgment in the use of theapparatus when playing the game. l

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a view in perspective of apparatus for playing baseball made in accordance with this invention'; Fig'. 2 is an elevation showing in detail certain parts of the apparatusgrlig. 3 is a plan view from below, and Fig. 4 is a plan view from above, of the parts shown in Fig. 2. i

like letters denote like parts.

A. is a flat, oblong surface of wood or other suitable material whicli.forms the field for th/e game.

a, b, and c are squares upon the field A which constitute, respectively, first, second and third base. A. movable end d of the turn-piece Q-may be the home-plate.

e and f are the foul lines.

B B are' guards along the two sides, and B', B are, respectively. guards along the head and foot of the field A. Each side guard B is provided with an opening C, which extends from the foul line e or f to- 40 ward the head of the field.

D D and D are slanting boards above the guards at the two sides and at the head of the field and represent the bleachers or .seats for spectators at a game of base-ball.

. F Beneath each bleacher D, on each of the two sides of the field, is an inclined channel E affording a passage from the opening C to the pocket F. Between the pockets F F, at the foot of the field, are several other pockets designated 1, 2, 3 or H R.l

These pockets are below the level of the lfield A. Across the Afoot of the field is a line of posts G G and a4 rope I carried by the osts.`

O the players in the field, 4c is the catcher, 5 the pitcher, 6 the. first baseman,l

In the several figures of the drawings,v

N is aA recess and (D, is a back-stopat thehead of t-he field.

Pis ai horizontal bar formingp1veferably part of a Ushaped' piece of wire supported by the back-stop, as shown in` Fig. 1.

Q is a'turnspiece pivoted on on turningv with a pin or screw g. One end of' the turnplece Q is provided with a socket z, to hold the hall 1' made. preferably, of steel or other elastic material.

j is a batI pivotally secured to the head 7c of the bat-post m, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. R isl a plate, preferably made of metal, forming part of the surface of the field A and level with the other parts thereof. The plate R is provided with a semi-circular slot n.

The tum-piece or movable carrier Q is provided at one end vwith a hole through which the bat-post 'm passes. The head k of the bat-post is greater in diameter than the lower part of the bat-post. It is also greater in diameter than the hole in the turmpiece Q through which the bat-post passes. Hence, the head- 7c forms a shoulder which rests upon the upper surface of the turn-piece Q and sustains the bat-post m in position, as shown in Fig. 2. The bat j extends horizontally from the head lo of the lmt.post and is of such length and of such dista-nce above the up. ersurface of the turn-piece Q that it will strike the ball z' resting in the socket I1. when the bat is caused toy swing around inthe manner hereinafter described.

Io is a movable plate on the under side of the plate R. The plate o is pivot/ed upon the pin or screw g upon which the turnU piece Q is pivoted and the pin or screw'` g holds the plate o and the turn-piece in,`

their proper pivoted positions, the pin. or screw g passing through a hole in the plate R in order to connect the plate o and the turn-piece Q. lThe position of the plate`,o, beneath the plate R, is, preferably, such it 'will at all times close the slot n. The plate o is provided with a hole so positioned that when the plate o is turned about its pivot o the hole will movealong the slot 71,3. 'lhroughthis hole in' the plate 0 the oat-post m passes, so that when the turnplate Q is turned on its pivot, the bat-post, which vpasses through a hole in Vthe turinpiece Q and slot n and a hole in the plate o, Will cause the plate 0 to'turn `.vith it onthe saine pivot g. The ends of the slot. ce .limit the movement of the batpost m andthereby limit the movement of the turl iiece Q and plate o.

nThe ovverend of the bat-postm is provided' with an arno p secured thereto, as by .passing the arni jv through a' hole in the lower end ofv the bat-postm. rlhe arm p extends horizontally from the bat-post m. et one side of the plate 0 a notch olinay be invade, as shown in Fig. 3. By making a short cut in the metal of the plate o, a strip q of metal may be formed, which, when glitly bent, forms a convenient device for the attachment thereto of one end of a 'vc-ire or other suitable springi", as shown in. Figs. 2 and 3. The wire spring if' may pass around the bat-post above the horizontal arm u and then around the horizontal ari'ii gi. This arrangement and resilience oli the Wire spring r are, as shown in the drawings, such as to cause the bat y' to swing over the socket h, striking the steel ball 5 when the free end of the bat is drawn toward the head of the field and the spring permitted t0 act. In Fig. l the batis shown in dotted lines at y" to indicate a'position given to it, by adjustment of turn-niece and parts hereinafter descriliedi and in full lines at j when in motion, swinging toward the ball z' under action oi the spring.

Beneath the plate 0 is a two-armed lever S having' for its fulcruin a pin or screw s that passes through a hole in a bracket t aiiixed a screiv u to the under side of the plate, R. Cine arin of the lever S is proided Vith a notch o, adapted to catch and hold the horizontal arm p secured to the bat-post m, and linclines to a point to .perinit arin p to ascend the incline until it reaches the notch, depressing that end ot the lever S as it does so. To the other end of the lever S a Wire rod 'fw .is attached at one of its ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A Wire or other suitable spring which may be secured at one end by passing it around the screw u or in any other suitable manner and which presses with its other end upon the under side of the arm of the `lever 'S provided with the notch o, tends constantly to raise that arm of the lever S.

The 7arrange'inent and relative ypositions of the parts are such, as shown in the figures of the drawings, that when the free 'ends of the three posts are provided with u end of the bat j is moved sufliciently far toward the head of the field, the horizontal ariii p, carried by the bat-post in, will slide along the incline of the pointed end ot' the lever S, depressing that end of the lever, until it reaches the notch fu, into ivliich it Will enter and where it Will be held, the spring m forcing the pointed end of the lever S upward as soon as' the arin peuters i the notch The bat j will be held inthe `position thus given to it until an upward i pull on the rod w lowers the pointed end oi the lever S and frees the arin p from en-.. gageinent With the side or" the notch o that' holds it, whereupon the' pressure 'of the nire 8G spring r will cause the bat to swing and strike the steel ball i" in the inanner above described.

T is adevice for automatic urnpiring. It consists. preferably, of three upright'posts, 85 t, tm; Each of the outer posts t and t" is at such a, distance 'fron-i the cent-e post t as to leave a su'liicient space between it and the center post to permit theball lli" of lead to pass freely through the space. The three posts are pivote'd upon alrodvy.) f as clearlyshoivn in Figs. 2 and el, the rod y being carried by a bracket' e securedkto vthe upper surface of the pla'te'R. The louerhorizontal projections a, a', 0^, 'one )for each; 1 post, and these projections a rest upon thc upright part of the bracket e, maintaining 'the posts in a Vsubstantially npr-ight position, inclining, however, slightly toward the pitcher 5. The two outer posts are free to turn on the rod y toward vthe baclstop 0. The rod lw, which, as above stated, vis attached to one end of the lever Si, and which passes through a hole fw in the plate il.. is attached at its other end 'to thc'projection af of the center post t. Hence,'a blow str-uol: by the loaden ball L' upon the center post will raise therod w and the end ot' the ler-er S' to which it is attachedftl'iereby'depressing the other end of the lever S, freeing the arm y) from the notch o and permitting the pressure of the spring fr' to cause the bat y' tosiving and strike the steel ball F or convenience la wire U may be 'bent and l passed around the rod y in ythe manner clearly shown in Fig. t and employed as alifting-devicefor raising the posts t fandtffwhen they have been knocked over toward the back-stop O, by pressiugon one endroit' A329 the Wire to move its pro]ectingph-orizontal ends upward and forward. lhe apparatus may also comprise a second devicefor uni.-

el surface of the field. rThis pocketis, pr r 30 piece *Q the steel ball z', When'struck, can be ggz Cai

made to roll foul or fairy and any one understanding the gaine of `.base-ball will understand that the apparatus described can be used in carrying out. innumerable points of the gaine base-ball not necessary to describe here, since the points of the game are so ivcli understood.

'The ap iaratus forming the subject inatoi this invention aiiords opportunity for piaying a scientific gaine of base-ball in which skiliull pitching and 'good fielding arespecial features for one side and place hit-ting is a speciai feature for the opposing ybases may be made by the use of the u1n-l that side. A 4

The bach-,stop 0 may beA green in color and 'the post-s a", t and 'tm may be red, for the purpose of securing a contrast and enablingthe' pitcher to observe Vand pitch more accurately. ri`he iield A should, preferably, be elevated to permit the pockets at the foot of the field to bebelovv the surtacerthereof, to permit ythe :channel E to incline slightly r and to afford space for the Vparts below the plate R.

Frein what has been said, it will be seen the gaine of base-ball as,played.with the apparatus describedr and lmadeV in ac -cordance With this.l invention is, like the regular gaines oibaseeball played today, a gaine largely 1n the hands of the pitcher, andthe gaine may be called A pitchers i battle It will-also be seen that the several' parts oi' the apparatus automatically decide the points of Athe game. F or intsance, the autom atie unipiring device T determines, in the. mannerv above stated, the effect of the balls pitched', the foul lines and openings C determine the .foul balls, the pockets at the feet ofv the players ldetermine the balls caught, the pockets at the foot of the field. determine the hits andthe number of bases obtained thereby, while 'decisions onl the pir-ing device V.

iVh-atclaim is: g

l. in appara-tus for playing base-ball, the combination of a movable 'turn-piece provided with a socket for a' ball near one end, ay bat ,niovably connected with the turnpiece near its other end, and a spring for actuating the bat, substantially as described.

2. in apparatus for. pla-ying base-ball, the coinbinationot a movable turn-piece, a bat inovably connected with thc turn-piece, 'neans for actuating the bat, means for ,restraining thcaction of the actuating means,

'combination or" a movabie `t and reise means, snbstantiaiiy de 3. in apparatus tor pis Pin inovabiy connected With tn. spring for actuating the bat, a. in for detachably connecting the f* the lever, and means for relea k, con nection betweenY the lever 'the spring, substantially as described.

,4., in apparatus for playing basebaih'the combination of a movabie turn-piece7 a re *oluble bat-post carried by the turn-piece, a bat carried by the bat-post, a spring it'or volving the bat-post, an arm carried by the bat-post, a lever .provided with a notch for receiving and holding the arni, a pressing upon the lever to heid 'the anni Within 'the notch and means` "for disengafr ing the arin from the notch o1?. the .iev-er whereby the bat is caused to suing by the action of the spring upon the bat-post, sub stantiailysas described. A

5. in apparatus for piaying base-bali, the combination of a movable turn-piece, bat movably connected with the turinpiece, a spring for actuating the bat, means for restraining the action of the spring', a post.,

and means connected with the post for rethe action of the spring engaging with one end of the lever and means connectingy the post with the other end'oi the iever ieor'ic leasing the engagement between the leverand the checking means, substantially as de scribed. i

,7; `In -apparatus for playing base-haii, t, combination of a turn-piece, a bat, a revo-f lubie batepost carrying thebat and 'connect` ed with the turn-piece, a revoluble piste conn connected with the bat-post, pivot upon `which the turn-piece and' revplubie pia'te are pivoted and a spring for revolving the bat-post, substantially as described. 8. In apparatus for playing base-ball, the combination oifja turn-piece, abat, a revoluble bat-post carrying the bat and connected with the turn'piece, revoiuble plate connected With-the bat-post and a spring secured at oneend to the revolubie plate for revolving the bat-post, substantiaiiy as dem scribed. f .9. In' apparatus `for piaying base-bali, the combination of la turn-piece, a bat, a revoluble bat-post carrying the bat and con-v nected with the turn-piece, a pitite provided, with a slot through which thebat-post. passes, a. revoluble plate connected with the bat-post and a spring 'for re otving the bat-post, substantially as described. w@

1,078,783 i .5gg

10. In apparatus 4for playing base-ball, the combination of a turn-piece, a bat, a revoluble bat-post carrying thebat and connected with the turn-piece, a plate provided with a slot through which the bat-post passes, a r-evolublel plate connected with the bat-posty and a spring secured at one end to the revoluble platefor revolving the batpost, substantially as described.

1l. In apparatus for playing base-ball, the combination of a turn-piece, a bat, a revoluble bat-post carrying the bat and connected with the turn-piece, a plate provided with a slot through which, the bat-post. passes, a revoluble plate connected with the bat-post, a spring for revolving the bat-post, an arm carried by the bat`-post, a lever adapt-ed to v contact with the arm, a spring pressing upon the lever, a post and means connecting the lever with the postte free the arm from oontact with the lever, substantially as described.

12.,In apparatus for playing baseball, the combination of a plate provided with a slot, a turn-piece and a bat above the plate, a revoluble bat-post carrying the batand connected with the turn-piece and passing through the slot in the plate, a revoluble plate connected with the bat-post, a spring secured atone end to the revoluble plate for revolving the bat-post, an arm carried by the bat-post, a lever adapted to contact with the arm, a spring pressing upon the lever, a post and means connecting the lever with the post to free the arm from Contact with the lever, substantially as de scribed.

13. In apparatus for lplaying base-ball,'

the ycon'iliination of a field provided with a plate in the surface thereof, said plate being provided with a slot, -a turn-piece and a bat above the plate, a revoluble bat-post carryingl the batI and connected with the turn-piece and passing through the slot in the plate, a revoluble plate connected with the bat-post, a spring secured at one end to the revoluble plate .tor revolving the batpost, an arm carried by the bat-post, a lever ,adapted to contact with the arm, a spring pressing upon the lever, a post and meansA connecting the lever with the post to free the arm from contact with the lever, substantially as described.

. 14. In apparatus for playing base-ball, the combination of a movable turn-piece, a

bat movably connected with the turn-piece, a spring adapted to actuate the bat, means adapted to restrain the action of the spring, a. thread, a ball suspended by the thread, a

post, and means connected with the post. tot freeing the spring from the action ogt the means restraining it when the post. is struck by the ball, substantially as described.

15. In apparatus for playing baseball the combination of a thread, a ball Suspended by the thread, a bat, a spring tor actuating the bat, means for restraining the action ot' the spring, a' post, and meansponnected with the post for freeing the spring from the action of themen/ns restraining it 'when the post is struck by the ball, snbstantially as described.

16. Inapparatns for playing base-bail. the 'combination of a thread, a ball sospended yby the thread, a bat,ineans :for aetuating the bat, means for checking the, ac-- tion of the actuating means, threel posts withspaces therebetween and means connecting one of the posts with said checking means for releasing the actuating means thcrctroin Vwhen the post is struck by the ball, snbstan tially as described.

17. In apparatus for playing base-bail, an umpiring device comi'irising a i'ilnrality ot posts with spaces therebetween, a pivot for each post, means for holding the posts in posit-ion and for preventing the posts from turning on their pivots in one direc tion and a spring connected with one of the posts to return it to position. when moved therefrom, substantially as described.

1S. In apparatus for playing baseball, the'coinbination ot' a thread, a ball suspended by the thread and an umpiring device comprising a plurality of posts with spaces therebetween, a pivotv for each post, means for holding theposts in position and .for preventing the posts 'from turning on their pivots in one direction and a spring connected with one of the posts to return it to position when moved therefrom, substantially as described. p

19. In apparatus for playing base-ball, the combination of a movable ball, a niet able bat, means for actuating the bat, three titl 

